It's easy to have courage when things go well.
Today, we get to look at the first portion of Acts 18. These events take place near the end of Paul's second missionary journey. It's common for the church to consider readings from the book of Acts in the weeks of the Easter season. These accounts show us how the Lord worked through his gospel message to grow and spread his church. We see hundreds converted here and thousands added to the number of the church there. Sometimes, we might think the church only sees "Pentecosts," miracles, and blessings. This account from Paul's time in Corinth reminds us that the early church saw plenty of challenges and also called for plenty of courage.
Just before this, Paul had been in Athens and preached on Mars Hill about the God who was unknown to the learned men of Athens. Now he came to Corinth. There was no church in Corinth, but there was a synagogue. Paul went to the synagogue each Sabbath to share how Christ had fulfilled the Scriptures. During this time, he met Aquila and Priscilla. They had just moved to Corinth because Emperor Claudius had forced Jews to leave Rome because of their religious squabbles, probably centered on Jesus. But that brought these faithful co-workers in Christ to Paul in Corinth.
Paul worked as a tentmaker with Aquila and Priscilla while continuing to share Jesus' message. He focused his efforts on those in the synagogue until they began to oppose him because of his message about Jesus. That opposition turned toward abuse toward him. When this happened at other times on his journeys, Paul would usually have to leave the town. Would that also be the case in Corinth?
But right next door to the synagogue, Paul found a warm welcome at the home of Titius Justus. So he continued to preach. The synagogue leader, Crispus, also became a follower of Jesus and led his whole family to believe in Jesus. Paul preached Jesus; people listened and believed and were baptized. But opposition remained. Jesus knew of the need. He made a point of appearing to Paul one night with this message: "Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city" (Acts 18:9). So Paul continued on and stayed for a year and a half in Corinth, preaching the gospel and gathering those "many people in this city" to their Savior.
It can be easy to be jealous of Paul in this situation. Why don't we get promises like this? But the Lord has not asked you to endure what Paul did, either. None of us want to be beaten or thrown in prison or stoned and left for dead, but Paul's enemies did that and more to him. No one is jealous of that!
It's easy to have courage when things go well. But really, a person can only show courage in the face of fear because that's what courage is. Perhaps you could argue it should have been easy for Paul to have courage (even when it wasn't going so well) when he got a message like this delivered directly from Jesus. You could argue it should be easy for Paul to find courage with such a special promise.
But you know how easily fear creeps in! We don't ask for it. We don't want it, but it does. Circumstances change. Political power pressures. Opposition rises. Efforts don't bear fruit. Work gets hard. To have courage, you need assurance in the face of fear.
Jesus gave Paul a unique and personal promise to his situation. His words bring courage. His words bring assurance. That same Jesus still speaks to you. He gives courage. He brings assurance. He still says, "Don't be afraid. 'Surely I am with you always to the very end of the age.' Keep on living as my people. My Word still has power. My promises still bring confidence and assurance. I will surround you with faithful people to support and encourage you."
